As part of the township’s preparation to take jurisdiction of Mapleton Road from Middlesex County, it recently won the necessary approvals from the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission for improvements that need to be made on Mapleton Road as part of that takeover.
According to the township’s director of planning and zoning, Les Varga, the work mostly entails grading “because the road floods considerable, even with a minor rainfall.”
Those improvements will include resurfacing and draining improvements, re-striping, and signage, he said. The matter was already reviewed by the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission, which had to review the plans because the road and the project improvements fell within 100 feet of the Delaware & Raritan Canal.
However, township officials are saying the work is not scheduled for any time soon.
Domestic Violence Response Team Seeks Volunteers
Plainsboro police are seeking volunteers for the Plainsboro Domestic Violence Response Team, and are accepting applications for a training session to take place in late September.
The department works in conjunction with Women Aware Inc. — a non-profit organization that provides shelter, counseling, and protection for Middlesex County residents who are affected by domestic violence — to have a team of specially-trained volunteer advocates available to meet confidentially with victims of domestic violence at police headquarters 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
These advocates, who are volunteer civilians, work in conjunction with the police to provide support, information, referrals, and a safety plan to victims. The advocates also discuss with the victims their legal rights with regard to obtaining a temporary restraining order.
These DVRT volunteers, whose identities are kept anonymous, take a 40-hour intensive mandatory training course.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have access to transportation and a valid driver’s license, be willing to serve on an on-call shift basis, and submit to background investigations and fingerprinting. The 40-hour training course, conducted by Women Aware, will be provided to successful applicants. Prior knowledge of domestic violence is not required, and being bi-lingual is a plus.
To request an application, call Sgt. Joseph Jankowski, 609-799-2333, ext. 619. For further information about the DVRT program, call Women Aware DVRT Coordinator Jill Zinckgraf at 732-249-4900, ext. 103.
